Pintle chain



FeE.1,1949. I L HMORIN 2,460,524

Filed Dec. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 =.i;. X i? INVENTRY lau/s/i/Vaz/lv ATTORNEY I Feb. 1,1949. L H, MORIN I 2,460,524

. PINTLE CHAIN Filed Dc. 28, 1943 ZSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTbR AT RNE Y l atentecl Feb. l, 194?;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-[CE PINTLE CHAIN Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y. Application December 28, 1943, Serial No. 515,883

9 Claims. (Cl. 59-78) This invention relates to the formation of die cast bodies including integral pintle or pin portions. More particularly, the invention relates to the production of such bodies in united relationship to each other, and for example, in the production of such articles of manufacture as link chains, and further to the novel method of producing articles of manufacture of the class described. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are'disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a diediagrammatically illustrating the method of forming successive castings and indicating the die parts in open position in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing partsof the castings in elevation and other parts in section, and omitting parts shown in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing only one of the die parts.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3, the sections being on the lines 4-4 and 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a short length of chain made in accordance with the method and by the dies illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

Fig. 7 is a, diagrammatic exploded view, showing a modified form of die structure with the casting disposed therebetween.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a few links of chain formed in accordance with the teachings of Fig. '7, and on the same general principles as taught in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another form of links made according to the method generally outlined in Figs. 1, 2 and '7.

Fig. 10 is a side and sectional detailed view of a linkage substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 9, but showing a further modification.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing another form of link.

Fig; 12 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing another form of link; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. wand 11, showing another type of link construction.

In the construction of pivotally or swingably coupled bodies of various kinds'an'd classes, it has been the practise to join the pivot or hingeportions of the bodies by pins or similar elements commonly-referred 'to'as pivots, pintles and the like. In such cases, the pins or pivots have been in the form of separate members secured to or coupled with the parts to be pivoted together or hingedly coupled.

It is the purpose of my invention to simplify the construction of coupled members or bodies of the kind under consideration, and particularly Where it is desirable to permanently couple the members or bodies, to die cast at least one of the bodies with a pivot or pintle portion arranged within a companion body, so that th resulting bodies are united in the casting operation. This method of procedure in addition to forming simply two bodies which are swingably or pivotally united also makes it possible to produce multiple link bodies, for example, in the production of link chains.

For purposes of illustrating one adaption of the invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings a few types of linkages in the construction of link chains, these illustrations being given simply to convey the general adaptability of the invention to the production of articles of manufacture of the kind under consideration, wherein the chain links are not only formed, but automatically produced in assembled relationship to each other in the successive casting operations of the machine.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing is diagrammatically shown, two die parts |5 6 for the formation of die cast link bodies H in the injection of casting material from a nozzle l8, note Fig. 2,,

through a gate I9 on the parting line of the dies into the impression or cavit 20 formed on adjacent surfaces of the dies. At this time, it will be well to point out that in forming the several castings, the castings may be formed from metal or metal alloys, or may be formed from plastic materials.

Before proceeding to define the die structure, it will be well to describe the structure of each cast member or body H, which in the construction shown, constitutes a link of a chain. Each body has a central solid cylindrical portion 2! at one end of whichis a projecting tongue 22, having a rounded outer surface, as seen at 23, and an aperture 24, passing through the central portion of the tongue and in which is arranged a flanged.

bushing 25. The tongue 22 is arranged centrally of the cylindrical portion 2| and the side walls. 26 thereof are continuous with the side walls of the body portion 2|. Thickness of the tongue 22 isapproximately one third of the diameter of the cylindrical portion 2|.

The other end of the cylindrical body 2| is yoke shaped or fork shaped in form, as a result of parallel outer arms 21 formed as continuations of the cylindrical portion 2|. Between the arms 21 is a recess 28 greater in width than the thickness of the tongue 22, as will be clearly seen upon consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing. The two arms 21 are joined by an integral pin or pintle portion 29 arranged within the recess 28, substantially centrally thereof, and so as to support the tongu of a companion linkrbody l'l' freely within the recess 28, it being understood that the pin or pintle 29 is arranged Within the bushing of the tongue 22 of said companion link.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 or the drawings are shown the contours of die i5, and as die it; is of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both. At Si! is shown the cavity portion in which the tongue 22 is formed, this cavity portion having pin or stud members 3%, upon which the bushing 25 is arranged in any desired manner, prior to the casting operation. In other words, the "bushing amounts to an insertin the die cavity 26, and is preferably in the form of a bushing member having properties which will be desirable from a standpoint of wear. In a metallic casting the bushing will be of a harder bearing metal, or in some instances might 'be a fiber, whereas in the plastic castings, fiber or metallic bushings of any suitable type and kind can be employed. As a matter of fact, a bushing of a plastic material, which would be harder, or present a better wearing surface than the plastic employed in the casting may also be used.

At 32 is shown the cavity in which the cylindrical portion'2l is formed, and at 33 is 'show'n the'cavity for forming the arms 27. In this latter cavity is an inwardly protruding portion 134, note Fig. 4, apertured as seenat35 "to form'the pin or pintle 25. The projection 34 has a web or fin portion 38. The parts 343.5co1lectively form the recess 28 between the arms 2! and around the tongue portion 22 of'the companion pre-cast "body H, as will clearly appear from consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing.

Arranged and movably supported between the adjacent surfaces of the dies l5l6, and extending into the cavity 33 is a pin or shaft .38, upon which each casting is formed. This .p'inor shaft performs three distinct operations. First it supports the casting in the operation of .separating the dies, or moving'them'into the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and in this sense becomes an ejector. Secondly, it is utilized to move'the casting relatively to the dies to position the same in the cavity .33, and thirdly to rotate'the casting so as to bring the tongue 22 in a position at right angles to the casting position, and thus to facilitate formation of the pin or pintle portion 29 within the aperture 2-4 or the bushing arranged in said aperture, as will clearly appear from consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing. I-n thisposition the pre-formed casting has its tongue 22 arranged at right angles to the tongue of the upper casting shown as being formed in and between the dies.,

The dies have recesses to form projecting hanger pins 39 on the tongue 22,- adap'ted to enter the recesses it in the'dies. This supports the pre-cast body ll against displacement from the cavity 33, after the rod or shaft 38 has been stripped from the casting. This latter operation is performed by partially closing the diesan'di-n returning the rod orshaft 33 to its normal posi- 4 tion preparatory to receiving the next successive casting. The pins 39 are trimmed from the castings in the operation of trimming the gates f9. The result of the above operation will produce a chain of any desired length with the link body i7 pernanently united in the manner partially illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing. I have found from experience that in casting the pin or pintle portion 29 within the aperture 2A or the "bushing 25in said aperture, in, cooling there is a shrinkage of. the pinaor lpi-ntle '29 su-fi'iciently to provide a very snug but yet free coupling between the link bodies. At this time, it is also well to point out that the use of bushings is not absolutely essential, and in many articles of manuiacture, the bushings can be dispensed with, and the pin or pintle portions cast directly within, and tent snugly within, the apertures of the companion member or body.

In Fig. l of the drawing I have shown at 4| what might be regarded as a dummy used incthe initial casting operation, .or in other Words, in forming the first member or body lll. This dum my or filler piece 41 has thegeneral contour of the upper portion of one of the castings, ithatis to say, the tongue 22 'includingiiihe bushing 25 therein and the cylindrical body 21. "It will be preferably composed of two .parts split along the axis of the pintle 29 so as to facilitate quick detachment from the first link formed.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing is diagrammatically illustrated parts of two dies 52 and 43 .used in "the formation of modified forms of .link members or bodies 4d. The members or bodies dd-finstead of.

-' being cylindrical in form are generally in the form of a rectangular plate 45, which 'forms the central body portion similar to the body .2! and on one side .of which is .an aperture'clandbus'hed tongue M5, and .at the other .side, .apai'r :of pro je'cting and spaced arms d'i'i joined .by a .pin.

or pintle portion ea. In Fig. "7,, the parting line surface offclie 512 'is shown in perspective and as the surface of zdies ii and '43 are the same, the brief description of one will apply to both.

The mold cavity or impression has a cavity '59 for forming the tongue 46, .a cavity 511 for f-ormi'ngthe body 25 and .arm 4], .a projecting portion 5! in cavity 50 for forming the recess around pintle 4'8 and has .in it recesses 52 wherein the pintle of the vnext successive link is formed. On the surface of the die is a gate passage 53 for admitting casting material to the die cavity and a core pinmassage '54 .for .receiving a horizontal .core :pin 5.5. on which the insert bushing 56 is arrgangedlprior :to. the casting operation. With this construction, the core forming stud members 3| of the construction shown in Figs. 1-5 are dispensed with, .as .is also the rod or shaft 3.8. The core-'55 is used tois'hift the castings, and in this construction rotation the drawing.

The dies 42-43 have a gate reoess-efii for .re-

7 ceiving the gate 58 'of-a .pre-iormed casting when the dies are partially closed va s .-.tl arey are in strippingthe core pin 55 from the castingand moving the same into alinement with the recess 54 preparatory to receiving another bushing insert 56 and the next successive casting to be formed.

In Fig. 9 of the drawing is shown another modification in the formation of the link body. All reference to the dies are omitted in that it will be in making thebodies 44 primarily because the former are cast in an inverted position relative to the latter, that is to say, with the parallel spaced arms 62 arranged upwardly instead of.

downwardly, and with a thickerv tongue 63 arranged downwardly instead of upwardly, the

central rectangular plate portionv 64 being otherwise substantially the same as the plate portion 45. Inthis construction, the apertures having the bushings 65 therein are formed in the arms 62 by a core pin similar to the core pin 55but extending entirely across the dies to enter bothcavities employed for forming the arm 62, or if desired, independent core pins can be used on each side of the dies, thus minimizing the stroke in stripping the core pins from the castings, as will be apparent. With this construction, instead of forming a pin or pintle between the arm 62, projecting pin or pintle members 66 are formed at opposite sides of, the tongue members 63 and of sufficient length so as to bring the outer surfaces 61 of the pin members 66 flush with, or substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the arms 6| or the bushings 65 therein. With the link bodies 6 I the arms 62 of one body fit and operate in recesses 68 formed at opposite sides of the tongue 63, and beneath the plate 64,and are disposed within said recesses.

In Fig. of the drawing is shown a slight modification of the construction shown in Fig. 9. The only difference being that in Fig. 10, the

separate link bodies 69 or the tongue portions Illthereof have projecting pintle pins ll which include integral heads 72 at their outer ends and disposed outwardly of the spaced arms '13, as will clearly appear. In the apertures of the arm '13 are arranged bushings". In thisconstruction knurled bushings are employed, the knurling being used to retain the bushings againstdisplacement.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 6, flange-bushings are shown, but it will be understood that any means may be employed to key or retain the bushings against displacement or movement within the casting bodies except as and when it would be desirable to allow these bushings to move within the castings.

In Fig. 11 of the drawing is shown a slight modification of the construction illustrated in Fig. 8. Here the link bodies 15 have tongue portions 16 with tapered bushings 11 therein, or a tapered hole formed in the tongue portions. The spaced arms 18 are joined by a tapered pin I9, thus providing a limited movement of the tongue portion 16 of each body on the pin or pintle 19, particularly in the direction of the arrow 86 of said figure. This embodiment of the invention shows the use of tapered pintles, or pintles with tapered portions thereof.

In Fig. 12 is shown a modification of the constuction shown in Fig. 6, and differs therefrom primarily in providing links 8| having a central ball or sphere like body 82 instead of the cylindrical body 32!, the ball or sphere having the projecting tongue 83 at one end similar to the tongue 22, and. the spaced arms 84 at the other end similarto the arms 21. The arms 84 having the integral pintle 85, which passes through the bushed aperture 86 of the tongue 83.

.,In Fig.l3 of the drawing is shown a modification which might be regarded as one half of the showing inFig. 10 of the drawing. Or in other words, a half link construction. Here each link body, 8.1 comprises simply offset end portions 88 and 89, the end portion 88 having at one side a projecting headed pin 96, similar to the pin H; whereas the end-portion 89 has a bushed aperture 9| for receiving the pin 90. With this construction, the head 92 of the pins 90 serve to maintain the links against separation. These heads might be of any desired contour.

In all of the constructions disclosed, it will be understood that chain links of predetermined dimensions, or comprising a predetermined number of link numbers or bodies can be made in a successive numberor series of castin operations. Aside from trimming operations, for removal of the gate portions and plating or other finishing operations which might be desirable, substantially finished products are produced in one series of operations of the machine employed.

In some instances, only two of the members are united in forming a single product. In other cases, short lengths are produced in manufacturing such things as bracelets. In the chain uses of the invention, the product may be made as other chains are made, in long pieces and when sold, cut oii to required lengths. However, when large quantities of chains of a given length are desired, the cycle of operations can be so controlled and timed as to produce these given lengths by automatically controlling the number of successive castings formed and the periodic insertion ofthe dummy or filler pieces, as for example, the filler piece 4|. Similar dummies or filler pieces would be used in the construction of theseveral types of link bodies shown in Figs. 8 to .13 inclusive. 3

In forming the several castings, and in moving 7 the casting from its casting station to the station for receiving the next successive casting, a suitable lubricant may be sprayed into the aperture or socket portion prior to casting the pin or 'pintle therein. Wherethis aperture or socket is formed by the core pin, as with the structures shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, the spraying of the lubricant will take place after the core pin has been removed, and while the'dies are still in a partially closed position. A suitable spray nozzle or jet will be moved into and out of the path of the dies in accomplishing this result.

The various links disclosed, with the exception of that illustrated in Fig. 13, may be said to have tongue portions at one end and socket portions at the other end for receiving the tongue portions of adjacent links, the sockets being formed by the U-shaped ends of the links. In this sense, the interfitting tongue and groove or socket portions are coupled together by pins or pintles which are integral with one of said portions. For example, in Figs. 1 and 2, the pintles are integral with the socket portions, whereas in Figs. 9 and 10, the pintles are integral with the tongue portions.

In all of the constructions disclosed, a pin or pintle portion is cast within an aperture 01' socket, or within a bushing that may be supported in this aperture or socket to form a emoria wearing surface. therein. The: shrinkage-of the pin or pintle in chillingv will form the necessary clearance for providing free swinging or pivotal V movement of the parts. one with respect: to the other; In some instances the pin: or pinti'e portion, which nrnight.v otherwise be termed a. shaft, can have a specific contour fitting a. pre-iormed contour in the socket portion, or in adding other 1 functions or uses to the. pin or shaft. portion. From a contour standpoint, the. tapered pi-n. of Fig. L1. is one illustration. Further illustrations of contour are found in Figs. 10 and 13., in which figures, the ends include. heads, and further--- more, the pins 99, where they join the end. 88"

of thelink are flared, as at 93, to give added strength to said pins.

Having fully described my invention, what 1? claim as new, and desire to secure hyilietters' Patent is:-

1. A. chain comprising die cast links, each link having an integral pintle. portion cast thereon,

and a. bearing also cast. thereon. encircltng the.

pintle portion. of an adjacent linkinpermanentlycoupling said links.

2-. A chain comprising die cast links,'eacl'r link I having an integral pin tle portion cast thereon,

a bearing also cast thereon encircling the. pintle portion of an adjacent link in. permanently coupling said links, and. a. bushing in the bearing portion of each link end around said. pintle;

3. A chain comprising die castlinks, each linkhaving an integral pintle. portion, a. bearing. encircling the pintle portion of "an adjacent in permanently coupling said links, and the .pintle portion having a link body at one end :and. a head at the other end retaining the .adiaceI-"xt link. against displacement from said pintlie.

4. A chain comprising die cast: links, each havingv an integral pintle portion. a bearing encircling the pintle portion of an adjacent link in:

permanently: coupling saidlinks, and means on.

the link body in alinement' with the pintle and the bearing of the adjacent. link for retain-mg the links against displacement from each other;

5; A chain comprising die cast links-,eachlink I having an integral pintle portion, a bearing en.- circlling thepintle portion of. an. adjacentlink in permanently coupling said links, means on the link body in alinement with the pintle and the bearing of the adjacent link. for retaining the links against displacement from each other, and a bushing between the pintle. and bearing of adjacent links.

6. A chain comprising die cast links, each link having an integralpintle portion, a bearing-encircI-lngthe pintl'e portion of an adiacentpermanently couplingsaid links, means on the link bod-y in alinement with the pin-tie and the bearing of the adjacent link for retaining the links against displacement from each OthBF' EHKi' the-pintleof one link being arranged at right angles to -the pintle of an adjacent link on said chain.

An articleof mariutactureof the class tie-- scribed; comprising movabl'ycoupled bodies havingeinterfitting tongue and groove portion-s, said tongue and groove portions being permanently coupled together by'i-rrtegral one piece pin-ties on one-oi said portions engaging the other of said portions, and the pintles beingintegral parts of the grooved portions; 7

. 81 An article of manutacture of the class describd'comprising movablw coupledbodies having interfitting tongue and vI groove portions, said tongue and groove portions being permanently coupied together by integral pintl es on one of said portions engaging the other of said portions, the pintle' portions being integral with the tongue portions, and said pm'tle portions having heads .at the ends thereoh Anarticleof manufacture of the class described, comprising movably coupled bodies of die cast ,7 material having interfitting tongue and groove portionsfisaid tongue and groove portions being permanently coupled together by one piece integralipintles: on one of said portions engaging the: other of. said portions; a. numberof said bodies being united torming a and tongue portions oi one: :body beingarra-nged at wright angies to the tongue portions of adjacent bodies on said chain.

LOUIS REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of record in the the ofthis patent:

UNI-TED STATES PATENTS 

